I came across a televised church sermon and remembered as a kid I had went to a church that was a branch of a bigger church. In fact their were branches of this church all over the country and they would have annual meetings were all these churches would come together for three days and I swear to you these pastor's were businessman. And in my opinion a church is a business. Pastors depend on the money it's making in order to provide for him and his family. And some of these pastors become very successful in this field. And whats the start up cost of a church? A few hundred fliers, some door to door advertising and the rental cost of some folding chairs. Even if the church got to big for you to run on your own that wouldn't be a problem because the people that you make your money off of are also willing to work for free. So if you think about it a church is a business where the customer not only pays for you building but they run it to. They paid for everything and do most of the work it takes to maintain it all well supporting you and you family. And the 2 -3 days you show up there you get treated like a star and collect your money. Not a bad deal but I couldnt do it.
Yes, some churches are in the business of making money. Some of these televangelists prey on people's fears and weaknesses and convince them to fork over their cash, the whole prosperity gospel thing, trying to get little old ladies to hand over their entire social security check.
Some churches are scams.
Ok but even good churches with honest pastors are being used to make a living off of. This is a career choose that he made and it's how he makes a living. He has to make enough money to not only pay the churches bill but his bills too. Then there's groceries, clothes, school supplies, haircuts and everything else. So even a good pastor is making a living off of Religion. It's not only a calling it's a career. So what would be the proper business ethics be for a church I wonder? Don't forgot the free labor. Ah the perks.
Everything is up for discussion, religion has no special priveledges when it comes to discussion or critisisme
Ok but even good churches with honest pastors are being used to make a living off of. This is a career choose that he made and it's how he makes a living. He has to make enough money to not only pay the churches bill but his bills too. Then there's groceries, clothes, school supplies, haircuts and everything else. So even a good pastor is making a living off of Religion. It's not only a calling it's a career. So what would be the proper business ethics be for a church I wonder? Don't forgot the free labor. Ah the perks.
Interesting evaluation, can I ask, in relation to the part of your post which I've bolded can I ask you why you couldnt?
Its a blessing that he choose me. But he didn't. These people are changing their own lives. It's not me. And its all do to blind faith. It allows them to be 100% without a single doubt in their mind beleave that their life is going to get better and telling yourself that your life is going to get better and beleaving it that strongly will make it happen. And knowing that I need them but they don't need me will make it impossible for me to be ok with using them that way. So blind faith is why.
Blind faith.
See because i could deal with taking there money in order to support me and my family. And I'd be ok with some of them volunteering there time to help maintain and run the church because I would know that God is changing their life's through me somehow and it is important that I remain open and available for anything God might need me for. Its a blessing that he choose me. But he didn't. These people are changing their own lives. It's not me. And its all do to blind faith. It allows them to be 100% without a single doubt in their mind beleave that their life is going to get better and telling yourself that your life is going to get better and beleaving it that strongly will make it happen. And knowing that I need them but they don't need me will make it impossible for me to be ok with using them that way. So blind faith would be why.
I'm unsure what precisely is meant by blind faith, it would seem from what you said that you could be a calculating individual or charalatan and profit from being a preacher anyway, do you believe that blind faith is a necessary qualification for a preacher?
No but if becoming a preacher was a business decision and not a decision based my religious beliefs or something I felt god wanted me to do then I wouldnt fill comfortable with myself. But on the other hand if I had found religion and felt that god had wanted me to become a preacher and dedicate my life to helping people then I wouldn't feel bad about accepting donations or profiting off the church through fundraisers and rallies because it would allow me to continue to do god's work.
No but if becoming a preacher was a business decision and not a decision based my religious beliefs or something I felt god wanted me to do then I wouldnt fill comfortable with myself. But on the other hand if I had found religion and felt that god had wanted me to become a preacher and dedicate my life to helping people then I wouldn't feel bad about accepting donations or profiting off the church through fundraisers and rallies because it would allow me to continue to do god's work.
Oh right, I thought you were suggesting that religion was a racket but you couldnt get a piece of that action since you could do a good enough impression of religious fervour or blind faith to be convincing to members of the congregation donating money, time and labour. Cheers for clearing that up
Would you do it if you also got awesome sith lord powers?
[YOUTUBE="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydCVAff68oA&feature=related"]Benny Hinn[/YOUTUBE]
That would make sense, then.
I guess it would be different for those who truly believe that God has picked and is using them to accomplish something important in the lives of others. Then it becomes a sacrificial calling (except for the narcissists, who start "taking their due").
Even these guys though, why cant they work. Preachers never work. Why is that? I was in so many different churches growing up. Huge ones, small ones, one with people going crazy like that. Even like the small little church with like 45-50 people. Are they really that busy? Whats a normal week for them, anyone know?
Oh right, I thought you were suggesting that religion was a racket but you couldnt get a piece of that action since you could do a good enough impression of religious fervour or blind faith to be convincing to members of the congregation donating money, time and labour. Cheers for clearing that up